From the Bride…David and I met in college—on the very first night of my freshman year, to be exact. Though our relationship wouldn’t seriously begin until a couple of years later, he made an indelible impression on me that night. I instantly recognized in him what was in me too: a pioneering spirit, boredom with convention and a yearning for authenticity, and an untamable creative streak.

After six years of being married-without-being-married, we got engaged, and were faced with the decision of what our perfect version of a wedding would look like.

David is the owner of a mindful travel media company (shameless husband plug; is that a thing?). His obsession since childhood, travel is also his creative medium; the results of his adventures are totally brilliant works of writing and stunning photographs.

I’m a Simplified Living expert and owner of the professional organizing company Live Simply by Annie. I help people to edit and organize their spaces and lives, removing both physical and emotional clutter, and creating beautiful environments and systems that support their wellbeing.

Both of us long ago eschewed convention and the notion that there is a “right way” to live, and choose, instead, to follow our bliss and live our true purposes. Our wedding had to follow suit. It would have to include an element of adventure. It would have to be without fuss and without stress. And it would have to be a stylish affair.

It would need to be a completely beautiful occasion in a jaw-dropping and magical location, with absolutely nothing more than the essential elements, and something that felt unabashedly true to who we are as people and as a couple—what, like that’s so much to ask for?

The realization of that vision was a private ceremony at Canaves Oia Suites in Santorini, Greece, planned and styled to utter perfection by Maria of Tie The Knot Santorini, and captured by our ridiculously talented photographer, Thanasis Kaiafas. (Note: both of these individuals are the reason why our wedding was as spectacular and memorable as it was. We are fully obsessed with them, and cannot sing their praises loudly enough or recommend them more highly.)

At noon, we stood on a private balcony and recited vows, exchanged rings, and became husband and wife; the exquisite caldera view sweeping underneath and all around us.

It was our deepest desires realized, the ultimate marriage of exploration and excitement and essentialism, and so much more joyful than we imagined it could be.

From Anna Routh… Alexis and Mike journeyed to Santorini for a stunning destination wedding in June. The two, who met in Atlanta and traveled to Portland to start a life together, are those people who are so comfortable in their skin, genuinely happy to be together and the most fun to be around. Alexis is 75% Greek, so when planning the wedding she knew her guests would likely have to travel to be a part of the day (she’s from Florida and they live in Portland), so why not give them an excuse to really get away to somewhere special?

Santorini couldn’t have been a more perfect setting – the beautiful blue sea, the stunning calderas, and the white and blue everywhere was like a photographer’s dream. Alexis’s style is flawless – her dress is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever photographed, sexy yet sweet, her Jimmy Choo shoes were the picture of elegance, and her hair and make up came together to create a picture of the most stunning Greek goddess. Her vision for the reception with fresh florals and even some pieces hand-painted by the bride, was brought to life with the help of the wonderful Santorini Glam Wedding.

The weekend spent with these two in Santorini was such a blast and the perfect reflection of their style and their love.

One place on my dream destination list that I’m just dying to cross off? You guessed it, Santorini. Until I find myself booking a ticket there, I’ll just stare at these stunning captures from Melanie Nedelko. Escape the ordinary and see it all in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

From Melanie Nedelko…For me there is no other location for an engagement shoot that´s more beautiful and more unique than Santorini! This wonderful, quaint Greek island with its blue church domes definitely is one of the most gorgeous locations I’ve ever seen in real life. Pictorial wind mills, cute kittens and the most amazing sunsets await you.

It’s been a dream of mine for a long time now to explore this volcanic island by myself. So when I got an email from Selena and Jacob from L.A. this April where they told me about how they are going to travel Europe including Santorini for some weeks my heart just skipped a beat.

Shortly before their departure Jacob surprisingly proposed to Selena and it became clear pretty quick that they wanted to have an engagement shooting on Santorini. After traveling through Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro they arrived full of unforgettable impressions on the Greek island to meet me there.

I was more than just excited and ever since I met them in person I couldn’t wait for this day to come.

Jacob and Selena rented an amazing Airbnb Apartment and from its rooftop terrace we had this breathtaking view over the city Oia. We met early in the morning to start shooting. In the mornings this city is enjoyably quiet, only some fisher boats and straying cats cross your path through the charming alleys of Oia.

What else can I tell you…This engagement shooting was just incredible. Jacob and Selena interacted so lovingly and easily in front of my camera, it was a pleasure taking their pictures. I could have continued photographing them all day long if the sun hadn’t become to hot and tourists hadn’t spread out into the city. Within an hour Oia awakes and its bustle takes its usual course. I really hope that I may return to Santorini some day. Because if you have been there once, it is all over with you…This island won’t let you go again. But enough said – enjoy my pictures of an adorable couple and a stunning backdrop!